'A World of Spice, Part I: Hot!' at Astor CenterSaturday, November 7, 12 to 4 p.m., $125
First in a series on spices is an exploration of dried peppers and peppercorns; you'll cook a variety of fiery dishes focusing on the heat and flavor, including romesco dip with smoked Spanish pimenton, four peppercorn-encrusted steak au poivre, and a Sichuan pepper-spiked daikon salad.Astor Center, 399 Lafayette Street (at East 4th Street), Manhattan; 212-674-7501; astorcenternyc.com for info and registration

'The Great New York Deli' at ICESunday, November 8, 5 to 9:30 p.m., $110
Learn how to make the quintessential dishes of the Jewish New York delis. Start with Jewish penicillin (chicken soup with kreplach and matzoh balls), chopped liver, and reubens, and churn out knishes, noodle kugel, rugelach, and cheese blintzes.The Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd Street (at Sixth Avenue), Manhattan; 800-522-4610; web.iceculinary.com for more info and registration